Diamonds in the rough times: Some CFLers compelled to sell Grey Cup rings

Redblacks’ Greg Ellingson (left) and Brad Sinopoli show off the Grey Cup rings they won after beating Calgary in 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE

EDMONTON — Miran Armutlu used to Google the words “Grey Cup ring” to find out what was happening to his life’s work. He had to stop.

“I used to do it and then my blood started to boil. I don’t do it anymore because I really get mad. I hate, absolutely hate seeing rings go online or being sold. I think it just diminishes the importance and the accomplishment.

“On one hand I understand when you really fall on hard times and you absolutely need it. But I would say, do whatever you can to not do it because this is an item you can pass on for generations.”

Armutlu is a fifth-generation master jeweller and vice-president for Jostens, based in Montreal. In that capacity, he works closely with victorious Canadian Football League general managers, owners, coaches and players over several months to design Grey Cup rings. Nuances are built into each one — engravings like Ottawa’s ‘Thanks Hank’ to signify Henry Burris’ MVP performance in 2016 — or a number of diamonds that corresponds to the number of players or franchise titles. The ring will help each recipient tell the story of the championship season.

Master jeweller Miran Armutlu, who has designed every Grey Cup ring since 1989, except for 1995.

“You’re creating something that these guys are going to remember for the rest of their lives, just by looking at it,” said Armutlu. “Of course you have no choice but to get attached to it. In the design process you’re dealing with it on a daily or hourly basis. Every nuance of that ring needs to be scrutinized to make it perfect. So it takes on a life of its own.”

There is life outside of football, of course, and its vagaries and challenges have compelled many CFL players to pawn, auction or sell their rings. Rings belonging to Eskimos Derel Walker and Randy Spencer and other CFLers have been lost or stolen.

Mike Clemons threw an Argos ring into an adoring crowd at BC Place Stadium so fans could have a look, but the woman who caught the bauble thought she could keep it and took it home. Clemons eventually got it back.

Classic Auctions has sold rings that were won by Ottawa’s Russ Jackson in 1969, Riders’ Tristan Clovis in 2007 and Eskimos’ Charles Alston in 2005. R.J. Soward’s 2004 Argos ring wound up in a Toronto pawn shop. Jovon Johnson sold his 2007 Riders ring because he didn’t feel like part of the team. Former Eskimo James Bell, who suffered a devastating spinal injury in 1987, eventually found himself in dire financial straits and sold his ring for US$5,700. Years later it was auctioned off online for $8,365.

Given the market value of the rings, the list of sellers will surely get longer, despite Armutlu’s annual impassioned pleas to CFL players.

“I say, ‘Guys, if you need to put it on the market, call me first.’ I do have a number of rings from people who called me and needed some dollars for whatever reason. I have purchased their rings and put them aside and, believe it or not, some of them, five or six years later, have called me back and said ‘Hey, I want it now.’

“I’m happiest at that point. They miss it, they understand the importance of it, they save up to get it back. That’s very nice.

“Last time that happened was about four years ago. A player who had called me up maybe eight or nine years ago called again and said, ‘Miran do you have that ring?’ I said, ‘Of course I have it. I told you I would have it.’ He said, ‘OK, I would like to make arrangements to get it back.’ That was a touching moment.”

Armutlu wouldn’t name names because the transactions are private and he is sensitive to the players’ circumstances. He also designs championship rings for the NHL, NFL and NBA, but salary levels being what they are, he hears mostly from CFL players, and most are based in the United States.

“A lot of them have called me. Something has gone wrong. Or they need extra money to get married or whatever. So there are circumstances that come up and they have to sell it and I understand that. But there are other times when they are just sold because the true value is not appreciated.”

By mid-February, either the Stamps or Redblacks will have settled on a design for their ring. Armutlu and his team of artists, artisans and engineers at Jostens will have produced about 10 fingers’ worth of samples before a final version is approved and sent into production, to be ready for presentation in June. The samples are eventually recycled, as the diamonds and coloured stones are removed, the gold melted and refined and used again.

Armutlu has done every Grey Cup ring but one since 1989: Baltimore’s 1995 win over Calgary wasn’t commemorated.

“I called coach Matthews and said, ‘Don, you’re in Baltimore. Do you want me to come down there and make your rings?’ Honestly, he said, ‘Don’t even bother, because you probably won’t get paid.’ ”

Turns out the Grey Cup game was indeed the Stallions’ last ride.

The ring Armutlu designs and Jostens produces for the winner of Sunday’s tilt at Commonwealth Stadium will be gaudy and great, hard-won and hefty, though perhaps not quite a match for the 2017 Argos ring. Armutlu called it a “game-changer” as it was 20 per cent bigger than anything he has done for the CFL.

“It’s called the Jim Popp factor. He just likes to set a whole new standard.”

Jostens provides an appraisal with each ring and advises players to buy insurance. Ottawa fullback Brendan Gillanders insured his 2016 Redblacks ring for $19,750, despite the fact he almost never wears it, and has it locked up tight.

The 27-year-old swears he’ll never sell it, not even if he wins another on Sunday.

“For me, the memory and ring is more important than the cash. I’ve now played football since I was nine. This is the summit of my career. So I would never sell it, no matter what the circumstances are.”

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